DESPITE the flashy appearance of the newly built state-of-the-art Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston, patients claim that the shortage of doctors and general lack of care have turned the hospital into an average public health institution.
"Once you are inside, it's like your are in a five-star hotel, but the service doesn't match your expectations," said Petros Banda, whose pregnant wife was turned away while in labour two months ago. His wife, Agnes said the nurses told her that doctors on call were not available to help her. The incident allegedly happened around 4am on September 22.
"The nurse advised me to go to Natalspruit Hospital some 20km away for assistance," said Agnes.
Banda said they were not even offered an ambulance.
"She was in pain and I had to drive her to Natalspruit Hospital myself. I was lucky she did not give birth while I was driving."
During a visit to the hospital this week, Sowetan found Elias Sukazi, 39, who had a severely swollen leg. He had been lying on a stretcher in the reception area in pain and unattended.
Sukazi arrived at the hospital at 8am. He had gone there to fetch results that would determine his diagnosis. Two weeks ago, skin on his leg was cut for testing.
He has been to at least five other hospitals where the same procedure was done, but never received his results.
Sukazi's brother-in-law, Thasi Ngobende, spent a long time looking for a wheelchair to push Sukazi into the hospital, but had to settle for a stretcher.
Sukazi said the doctor did not even look at his leg.
"I was told to come back next week." He left the hospital at 1pm with only a packet of painkillers.
New hospital's 'service poor'
DESPITE the flashy appearance of the newly built state-of-the-art Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston, patients claim that the shortage of doctors and general lack of care have turned the hospital into an average public health institution.
"Once you are inside, it's like your are in a five-star hotel, but the service doesn't match your expectations," said Petros Banda, whose pregnant wife was turned away while in labour two months ago. His wife, Agnes said the nurses told her that doctors on call were not available to help her. The incident allegedly happened around 4am on September 22.
"The nurse advised me to go to Natalspruit Hospital some 20km away for assistance," said Agnes.
Banda said they were not even offered an ambulance.
"She was in pain and I had to drive her to Natalspruit Hospital myself. I was lucky she did not give birth while I was driving."
During a visit to the hospital this week, Sowetan found Elias Sukazi, 39, who had a severely swollen leg. He had been lying on a stretcher in the reception area in pain and unattended.
Sukazi arrived at the hospital at 8am. He had gone there to fetch results that would determine his diagnosis. Two weeks ago, skin on his leg was cut for testing.
He has been to at least five other hospitals where the same procedure was done, but never received his results.
Sukazi's brother-in-law, Thasi Ngobende, spent a long time looking for a wheelchair to push Sukazi into the hospital, but had to settle for a stretcher.
Sukazi said the doctor did not even look at his leg.
"I was told to come back next week." He left the hospital at 1pm with only a packet of painkillers.
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